2 Loudoun Students Named 2024 Presidential Scholars; Among 5 In Virginia

ASHBURN, VA — Two students at Loudoun County schools were named 2024 Presidential Scholars among 161 high school seniors.

Sriya Yalamanchili, of Sterling, who attends the Academies of Loudoun and Rock Ridge High School, and Raaga Kodali of Ashburn, who attends Briar Woods High School, are two of six Presidential Scholars in Virginia. Kodali is a Presidential Scholar in Career and Technical Education.

Presidential Scholars are selected from the top-performing students who demonstrate academic success, excellence in the arts and in technical education, and commitment to community service and leadership, according to the U.S. Department of Education. There are at least two students from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and U.S. families living abroad, as well as 15 chosen at large, 20 scholars in the arts and 20 scholars in career and technical education. More than 5,700 students qualified for the Presidential Scholar awards through performance on the SAT or ACT exams or nominations made by chief state school officers, partner organizations or YoungArts, the National Foundation for the Advancement of Artists.

According to Loudoun County Public Schools, Yalamanchili has excelled at college and pre-college courses through the Academies of Loudoun. She is also credited with demonstrating community service and high school leadership positions, such as vice president of the Rock Ridge High School National Honor Society. Yalamanchili has also interned at local places like Inova Schar Cancer Center.

Kodali is involved with Briar Woods High School as Virginia DECA chapter’s 2023 state president and the 2022 state vice president of member engagement. She also volunteers with community organizations and is a research intern for Little River District Supervisor Laura TeKrony on the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors.

Since 1964, the Presidential Scholar program has recognized over 8,200 students. Other Virginia winners in 2024 are Benjamin Daniil Cohen of Falls Church, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology; Hannah Z. Hong of Yorktown, Grafton High School; Olivia Kasie Judd of Winchester, James Wood High School; and Christian Philip Trimmingham of Richmond, Interlochen Arts Academy.